Circus Abyssinia's Ethiopian Dreams: a week in the life
© Andrey Petrov
After runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, in Singapore and Adelaide, Circus Abyssinia are heading to London's South Bank as part of this year's Underbelly Festival. The company's hour-long show is an exuberant, family-friendly celebration of circus tradition and Ethiopian heritage, and follows two boys as they explore the world around them. The show was described as "joy-fuelled talent at its purest" in our review.
We asked troupe member Betty Dejene to give us a look at the show during its opening week.
Seeing double
BD: "On the way to the venue with Bibi and Ezera (who plays Little Bibi in the show!)"
Going through the motions
BD: "Rehearsal time!"
Caffeine top-up
BD: "Coffee break!"
Stretch on the stairs
BD: "What happens when we have the whole theatre to ourselves…"
Clubbing of the juggling kind
BD: "Always practising!"
Meet the press
BD: "Quick interview!"
The set in construction
BD: "Rigging the Chinese Poles in pre-show rehearsal."
Oh what a circus!
BD: "Pre-show ritual – 'Circus Abyssinia!'"
